Kathleen Turner has embodied some of the most powerful, seductive, and vulnerable women ever created for the stage and screen, earning two Tony Award nominations, one Academy Award nomination, and two Golden Globe Awards in the process. But her latest venture, Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins, which is having its world premiere at the Philadelphia Theatre Company, takes the 55-year-old actress into new territory.

Turner knew the late newspaper columnist (who died of cancer in 2007) and is passionate about letting audiences find out more about her. “I just assumed because I knew of Molly for so long, had read her work, and had met her over the years that she was better known than I think she is. So I am thrilled I can to introduce her to new people,” says Turner. “I think what I want people to come away with is an understanding of Molly’s commitment to activism and to being an active citizen, her belief in true liberalism, and her passion for the First Amendment.”

Turner met Ivins through their joint work for People on American Way, and was more than intrigued when she learned that authors Margaret and Allison Engel wanted to fashion a play about the maverick journalist. What Turner wasn’t interested in, however, was trying to impersonate Ivins on stage.

“I don’t do impersonations, I do interpretations,” she says. “I had to find that fine line, and I think I’m still working on it, of finding Molly. I am also not the type of actor to do tons of research; I find what I need in the script. I did, however, get myself these great custom-made, fire-engine red boots with white stitching to wear on stage. They give me a sense of Molly’s stride. Plus, I’ve always loved cowboy boots and I wanted a red pair.”

While Turner has done solo shows before, she admits it’s not always the easiest art form. It can be lonely to be on stage all by yourself, and it can be tough not to have someone to play off of. And it’s nice to have another actor to depend on and to get you back on track if you need it,” she says. “But on the other hand; it is really fun having the stage all to myself. Tell me you know an actor who doesn’t want all that attention.”

In fact, the biggest change for Turner is not being on stage alone, but the relatively small size of the PTC stage. “This is a fairly intimate venue for me; I’m used to playing to 1,000 people every night,” she notes. “So I had to pull back my voice, adjust my projection, and relax a little. It’s been interesting, but I admit, I still like having more people in the audience.”

In recent years, Turner has branched into directing, including the recent acclaimed revival of Crimes of the Heart, but she’s been happy to collaborate with noted director David Esbjornson on this project. “Every actor who has worked in this business for a certain amount of time – and I’ve been doing this for 31 years — learns to direct oneself no matter what, and then to use and accept what the director gives you. I still take direction well,” she says, “I talked to David about the play before we agreed to work together. We sort of auditioned each other. And even though he didn’t know Molly, I thought he had a very good understanding of the material. And David’s insights into Molly have been very helpful to me.”

Turner hopes to the show will have another production soon, but she’s committed to Matthew Lombardo’s new play High, which makes its world premiere in July at Hartford Stage. In the work, Turner will play Sister Jamison Connelly, who agrees to sponsor a 19-year-old drug-user in an effort to help him combat his addiction, and ends up having her own faith tested. “It’s got some laughs, but basically it’s some pretty strong stuff,” says Turner. “One of those days I’m going to do something easy.”

Thanks Theatermania.